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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Neuropsychology
Module Code PSY1047 (ITS: PSYC403)
Faculty Psychology School Science & Health
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

To provide students with knowledge of what neuropsychology and neuropsychological practice is and which areas of psychological and medical practice can be informed by neuropsychology. To inform students of various neurodegenerative and neurological disorders and difficulties, their psychological effects, and the link with psychological intervention.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the anatomy and processes of a healthy brain and the central nervous system.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the different types of damage, both acquired brain injury and neurological diseases.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the neuropsychological assessment of neurological deficits.
4. Discuss the link between neurological disorders and therapeutic practice.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the profession of clinical neuropsychology.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture22Formal Lecture (11 x 2-hours)
Directed learning10Specified online learning activities.
Independent Study91Independent learning, assignment and exam preparation.
Directed learning2End of Semester Examination
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN20972Part of TermSemester 2
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorAoife FitzpatrickModule TeacherStyliani Vlachou
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
PresentationThis assignment requires students to give an oral presentation on their chosen topic. Content for each topic option provided will be covered in lectures in weeks 1-5. The document outlines the assignment instructions and available topics for the presentation.30%n/a
EssayThis assignment requires students to write two essays on topics of their choosing. Content for each topic option provided will be covered in lectures in weeks 6-12. The document outlines the assignment instructions and available topics for the essays.70%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to the Discipline of Neuropsychology

The Structure of the Central Nervous System

Basic Principles of Brain Asymmetry and Lateralization; Individual Differences in Brain Asymmetry – Gender and Handedness

Neurology for Neuropsychologists: Neuropsychological Assessment.

Experimental and Clinical studies; the most common Neurological Disorders

Functions of the Frontal Lobes; Disorders after Frontal Lobe Damage

Functions of the Temporal Lobes; Disorders after Temporal Lobe Damage

Functions of the Parietal Lobes; Disorders after Parietal Lobe Damage

Functions of the Occipital Lobes; Disorders after Occipital Lobe Damage

Memory and Relevant Neuropsychological Disorders

Language and Relevant Neuropsychological Disorders

Degenerative Diseases, Aging and Neuropsychology of Dementia

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Kolb, Brian & Whishaw, Ian: 2015, Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology, 7th,
  • J. Graham Beaumont: 0, Introduction to Neuropsychology, Second Edition, Second Edition, The Guilford Press, 382, 978-1593850685
  • Lezak, M.D, Howieson, D.B. Bigler, E.D. & Tranel, D.: 2012, Neuropsychological Assessment, 5, Oxford University Press, 978-0195395525
  • Blumenfeld, H.: 2011, Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases, 2nd, Sinauer Associates, 978-0878933839
  • J.-P. Changeux (Editor), A.R. Damasio (Editor), W. Singer (Editor), Y. Christen (Editor): 2005, Neurobiology of human values: Research and perspectives in neurosciences, Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 978-3540262534
  • Connors, B. W., Paradiso, M. A., & Bear M. F.: 2006, Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, 3rd, 978-0781760034
  • Damasio, A.R.: 2000, The feeling of what happens: body, emotion, and the making of consciousness, London, UK: Vintage Books, London, 978-0156010757
  • Damasio, A.R.: 2003, Looking for Spinoza. Joy, Sorrow, and the Feeling Brain, London, UK: Vintage Books, London, 978-0156028714
  • Damasio, A.R.: 2006, Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason and the Human Brain, Harper Collins, New York, NY:, 978-0143036227
  • Damasio, A.: 2010, Self Comes to Mind: Constructing the Conscious Brain, Pantheon Books, New York, 978-0307474957
  • Damasio, A., & Damasio, H.: 2012, Neurobiology of Decision-making: Research and perspectives in neurosciences, Springer-Verlag, Berlin,
  • Goldstein, L.H., & McNeil, J.E.: 2013, Clinical Neuropsychology. A practical guide to assessment and management for clinicians, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley and Sons,
  • Gurd, J., Kischka, U., Marshall, J.: 2010, The Handbook of Clinical Neuropsychology, 978-0199234110
  • MD Kenneth M. Heilman, Edward Valenstein MD,: 2011, Clinical Neuropsychology, 978-0195384871
  • [edited by] Halligan, P.W., Kischka, U and Marshall, J.C.: 2003, Handbook of clinical neuropsychology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 978-0198527763
  • Joseph, R.: 2011, Neuroscience: Neuropsychology, Neuropsychiatry, Brain & Mind, University Press,
  • Kandel, E. R., Schwartz, J., & Jessell, T.: 2013, Principles of Neural Science, 5th, McGraw-Hill, London, UK,
  • LeDoux, J.: 1999, The emotional brain: the mysterious underpinnings of emotional life, Orion Books, London, UK,
  • Lezak, M.D., Howieson, D.B., Bigler, E.D., & Tranel, D.: 2012, Neuropsychological Assessment, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK,
  • Luria, A. R.: 1973, The Working Brain: An Introduction to Neuropsychology, Basic Books,
  • Marchall, J., Gurd, J., & Kischka, U.: 2012, The Handbook of Clinical Neuropsychology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK,
  • Purves, D., Cabeza, R., Huettel, S.A., LaBar, K.S., Platt, M.L., & Woldorff, M.G.: 2013, Principles of Cognitive Neuroscience, 2nd, Sinauer Associates,
  • Ramachandran, V.S.: 2012, The Tell-Tale Brain: unlocking the mystery of human nature: tales of the unexpected from inside your mind, Windmill, London, UK,
  • Ramachandran, V.S., & Blakeslee: 1999, Phantoms in the brain, Fourth Estate., London, UK,
  • Sacks, O.: 1998, The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat, and Other Clinical Tales, Touchstone,
  • Sacks, O.: 1999, Awakenings, Vintage,
  • Schaff, R.C. & Zapletal, A.L.: 2010, Mastering Neuroscience: A Laboratory Guide, Saunders, St. Louis, MI,
  • Squire, L. R., Berg, D., Bloom, F., du Lac, S., & Ghosh, A.: 2008, Fundamental Neuroscience, 3rd, Academic Press, San Diego, CA,
  • Stein, J. F.: 2006, Neuroscience: an Introduction, John Wiley and Sons., Oxford, UK,
  • Stirling, J., & Elliott, R.: 2008, Introducing Neuropsychology, 2nd, Psychology Press, Hove and NY,
  • Zilmer, E. A., Spiers, M. V., & Culbertson W.: 2007, Principles of Neuropsychology, 2nd, Wadsworth Publishing,


Articles:
None
Other Resources

  • 1: Website, Society for Neuroscience,

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